At a meeting with Zelenskyy, Zaluzhny confirmed that he would stand for president, despite attempts to dissuade him — media reports
This is reported by *Ukrainska Pravda*, citing its own sources close to Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny.
Starmer’s resignation served as a formal pretext for inviting the Ukrainian ambassador to Kyiv, the publication writes; having discussed its possible implications for Ukraine, Zelenskyy moved on to the topic of the elections.
He reportedly said that the recent positive situation on the front line and the continued consolidation of society had created a window of opportunity for holding elections. However, the president emphasised that these elections must be held in such a way as to prevent the country from splitting, particularly due to his confrontation with Zaluzhny.
According to UP sources, the president eventually put a direct question to the former commander-in-chief: ‘If the elections take place in the autumn, will you stand for election?’.
He replied: “Yes. I will,” — and then explained that he had not sought a political career, but that many people, he said, were pinning their hopes on him, so he would be unable to explain to them why he had betrayed their trust.
The conversation continued for some time after that, but President Zelenskyy did not offer the general any other career options, although, according to UP’s sources within the government, among the possible proposals, Zelenskyy’s team were prepared to discuss not only diplomatic posts for Zaluzhny, “but practically any government position, even that of head of government”.
In the end, Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny shook hands and concluded their conversation. Although National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and the leader of the ‘Servant of the People’ parliamentary faction, Davyd Arakhamia, who also reportedly tried to dissuade him from his presidential ambitions, repeating the same arguments about social division and risks to the state.
This did not convince the general, although as he was leaving they asked him: “Brother, please think it over again.”
Follow us on Telegram
